Find new ways to stretch your musical limits and develop a creative routine
Choosing to turn your creativity into a regular routine can help you stretch your limits, sharpen your skills, and open the door for new career opportunities.
music practice
11 tips for better band rehearsals
Band rehearsals are part of playing live music, and there are things you can do to ensure you’re making the most of your time. I’ve got 11 tips to get you on the right track. Read the post.
Time management tips for musicians
Bobby Borg, music educator and career coach, has time management advice to help you turn your passion for music into a successful career. Read the post
The transformative echoes of an unplanned jam
How collaborating with the found noise of New York City inspired fresh hope. (Or, how an unplanned music jam saved my summer.) Read the post
The value of taking a break from music
Taking time to practice, perform, learn, and experiment musically will make you a stronger artist, but taking a break from music can be helpful as well. Read the post
Eleventh and thirteenth chords: How to play them on guitar
For some extended guitar chords — like a fully voiced thirteenth — there are more notes in the chord than there are strings. That’s where slash chords come in … with a little help from your bassist. Read the post
Practice music like an Olympic athlete
Whatever your musical style or genre, establishing an effective, consistent practice routine will set you up for musical success. Here are some tips to get you started. Read the post.
How Nashville tuning can transform your arrangements
While Nashville tuning uses the same notes as a standard guitar tuning, used by itself and in layers with other guitars, this tuning can bring an articulate presence to a recording. Read the post.
Expand your musicianship and career by sight-reading music
The ability to see written music for the first time and play it on the spot is a superpower that will open creative and career possibilities. Here are some tips to expand your skills at sight-reading music. Read the post.
Liven things up with eleventh chords
Eleventh chords can provide lush texture to your songs, but they can be confusing. We’ve got charts and real-world examples to help you better understand these extended chords. Read the post.
Add drama with a flat-six chord
The flat-six chord can add drama to your music, and with some exceptions, is best used sparingly in your songwriting. Read the post.
The profound healing quality of music
An intense desire to create and share her music helped indie music artist Sarah Fimm recover from a debilitating accident and find gratitude for the lessons she learned. Read the post.
Sixth chords add moody complexity to your music
Sixth chords have an inherent lack of identity and purpose that can be riveting — a sixth chord can provide ambiguity, set curiously dark moods, and add a layer of complexity to your music. Read the post.
How to plan, perform, and rock your Zoom gigs
Live-streaming has opened new opportunities for many musicians. It has also created new categories of challenges. These prep and performance tips can make your Zoom gigs the best they can be. Read the post.
Ninth chords add ambiance to your compositions
There are many kinds of ninth chords, and they can be used in different ways. This post explores different kinds of ninth chords and how you can use them, with plenty of examples of their use in popular music. Read the post.